Fluid dispensing device



y 28, 35- E. L. NALL 2,002,610

FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l I) Q A" lZ/YZerLNa May 28, 1935. E. MALL 2,002,610

Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,002,010 FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Elmer L. Nall, Chicago, 111.

Application September 18, 1931, Serial No. 563,484s

23 Claims.

The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices and more in particular to novel means for dispensing a fluid, such as a lubricating oil or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel device for dispensing a fluid,

and primarily and particularly some such fiuid .as a lubricating oil, or the like.

Heretofore, it has been the practice of wholesale oil distributors to distribute oil in bulk to the various retail outlets, the oil being transferred .in desiredunits from the Bulk containers or repreventing such a vicious practice has consumed I the time and energy of various refiners, manufacturers, distributing companies and agents, but until the present time no practical and emcient method or device has been devised to protect these innocent purchasers.

7 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel device for andmethod of dispensing a fluid, such as a lubricating oil, Y in such a manner. as to assure the ultimate cus-- tomers or purchasers that the product received is unadulterated and is in the same condition when received and used as when the same was sealed and prepared for shipment by the refiners, manufacturers, wholesale distributing companies or agents.

The present invention contemplates the idea 3; providing novel means adapted for use with standard equipment, such as the ordinary oil measure or dispenser now used at the various gas stations, such meansdieing of a construction as to be readily received within uch dispenser and in a position for immediate us :More particular- 13*, such novel means is of a nstruction and so disposed within the oil'dispeiiser or holder that the holder may be used as a guiding means for the receptacle containing the fluid-or lubricating oil.

Another object within the purview oi the present invention is tofprovide novel means foropening a sealed receptacle containing fluid, such as a lubricating oil, and which is adapted for use with a fluid holder and secured to said holder in a manner and position which willpermit the draining of said fiuid' into the holder and yet confine the level of the drained oil always below the opened receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel receptacle opening device including cutting elements adapted to sever or cut certain portions of a sealed container and along predetermined lines, whereby the fiuid contained in the sealed receptacle is adapted to rapidly and completely drain therefrom, this rapid and com- 10 plete draining being further aided by piercing or puncturing means associated with said cutting elements for,producing draining openings in remaining partially severed portions of the sealed container which might otherwise form fiuid 15 catching pockets.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide can wall deflecting or displacing means which by enlarging the openings produced by said cutting means cooperate with the latter and with the'piercing means to effect rapid and complete draining of a liquid contained in a sealed container in a short space of time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of openings or channels in said puncturing ele ments which openings or channels are adapted to communicate with the interior of the sealed receptacle to'be opened to efie'ct complete draining of the contents.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an oil dispenser or holder adapted to carry said cutting, puncturing and deflecting means and to guide and support a sealed liquid container in opening position and having a chamber below said cutting means of sufiicient capacity to collect the contents of an opened container without said contents assuming a level beyond a point where the liquid container would be soiled. Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a fiuid receptacle and holder, the holder having parts broken away to disclose a receptacle opening device associated therewith for opening the receptacle; Y

Figure 2 is a detached view in perspective of a receptacle opening device made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is an. enlarged fragmentary view in cross section of a part of the receptacle opening device shown in Figure 2 of the drawings;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a receptacle 'quarts, or other ing oil.

opened in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 5 is a detached view in perspective of another receptacle opening device made in ac cordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a receptacle showing the openings formed by the device disclosed in Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure '7 is a detached view in perspective of another modification of a receptacle opening device made in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of a receptacle showing the openings made by the use of the device shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is shown in connection with a holder or dispenser 2 substantially cylindrical in shape and having an open top 4, the conical or tapered bottom thereof being provided with an opening or passage 6 communicating with a flexible nozzle or outlet 8 which is adapted to be normally held by means of a hook ID in an upright position to prevent loss of any fluid which may be contained therein or in the holder. A handle l2 of any desired construction may be provided and secured in any suitable manner in a position oppositely disposed to the nozzle 8, whereby the holder 2 may be held at substantially any angle during the transfer of the fluid from the holder 2 to any other re ceiving means or receptacle.

In the present disclosure, the holder 2 is formed with a substantially vertical cylindrical wall adapted to provide a comfortable fit for the receptacle opening device, to be later more fully disclosed, this wall terminating above the opening device to provide a guide means for a fluid receptacle or container received in the upper open top thereof; 7 When it is desired to empty the contents of the holder 2, the nozzle 8 is released from its engagement with the hook I0 and inserted for example into the opening of the crank case of the motor and the lubricatingoil is allowed to drain by gravity thereinto.

Because of the abuses now prevailing and above disclosed, the present invention comprehends the idea of distributing this lubricating oil in sealed containers, such as the tin can I 4, the same being filled with a unit charge of oil, for example, a quart and sealed at a suitable distributing point and transportedto the individual retailers or gas stations. The dispensing of the lubricating oil in this manner eliminates any possibility of substitution and provides a simple and effective means of disclosing to the buyer that the oil is of genuine origin and in a proper condition for use. It is of course understood that these receptacles 14 may be of any material and of the desired shape or size, but preferably capable of holding either 1, 2, 4 or 5 In order to properly dispense the lubricating oil, it is necessary to open these receptacles I4 and cause the lubricating oil therein to drain therefrom and into some suitable holder, such as the holder 2, for transfer of the oil to the crank case of the motor. Such means is shown in the present invention as comprising a receptacle opening device l6 including a lower band or ring l8 adapted to rest upon the bottom of the holder 2 and an upper ring or band 20 connected together by a plurality of spacers or supporting rods 22. Centrally disposed within the upper ring 20 and connected thereto in any desired manner are cutting elements 24 and 26, and 28 and 30, these cutting desired unit charges of lubricat-- elements having a downwardly inclined cutting edge and being set 90 degrees apart. The cutting elements 24 and 26 may be formed from a single piece of material and the cutting elements 28 and 30 suitably connected thereto, as by means of welding, or the like.

Each of thespacers 22 has its upper end bent, as

at 32, and re-bent as at 34 to provide a seat forpuncturing elements, generally referred to as 36, which may be secured thereto, as by spot-welding 38 or the like, and for a further purpose to be later more fully disclosed. Each of these puncturing elements 36 is formed with a bifurcated lower portion to provide a passage or opening 40, while the inner surface of each of these elements is flared downwardly, as at 42, to cause a rolling of the material adjacent the openings formed in the receptacle l4 when the same is punctured by these elements 35.

When it is desired to dispense a given quantity or unit charge of oil in accordance with the present invention, a sealed receptacle or container l4 of the proper size is secured and inserted into the opening 4 of the holder 2. It will be noticed at this point, that the blades or cutting elements of the receptacle opening device [6 are disclosed as spaced a substantial distance above the bottom of the holder 2'and below the upper edge thereof, the upper edge of the holder acting as a guide means for the proper positioning of the receptacle, 44. After the receptacle l4 has been inserted in the opening 4, a suitable amount of pressure is applied to the top thereof so that the receptacle or can 14 is caused to move downwardly onto the cutting elements 24 and 26. If desired, any suitable power means may be used for applying a pressure to the upper end of the can or receptacle. These cutting elements are formed with an upper pointed .portion 44 to initially engage the can i4 and to start the cutting operation. Further movement of the can l4 downwardly brings its lower end into engagement with the two oppositely disposed puncturing elements 46 and 48, these two puncturing elements being longer than the others. Upon further downward movement of the can or receptacle M, the lower end thereof is further severed by the cutting elements 28 and 30 and further punctured by the oppositely disposed puncturing elements, such as 54.

Referring now more in particular to Figure 4, it will be seen that the lower end of the can I4 is severed radially along predetermined lines about 90 degrees apart to form tabs or partially severed container wall portions 52, the puncturing elements forming a plurality of openings 54 substantially symmetrically disposed inrelation to these tabs 52 and adjacent the'outer rim or seam 56. During the downward movement of the can I4, these tabs or flaps 52 engage with the. inwardly projecting ends or deflecting members 58 of the spacers 22 to cause an upward displacement thereof so as to form a suitable enlarged opening for the rapid and complete drainage of the lubricating oil from the receptacle. It will thus be seen that the combined discharge ca inner part of the nozzle 8. This quick cascading or dumping of the can contents into the bottom reservoir of the holder 2 is desirable because it allows as much time as possible for residual oil clinging to the inner walls of the oil container to,

drip into said chamber between the time the end of the oil container has been opened and the time the empty container is withdrawn from the dispenser. It will be further noted, by reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, that the surplus metal removed from the openings 54 by the puncturing elements is rolled, as at 60, to provide smooth edges for these openings so that the lakes or pockets formed by the upward displacement of the tabs 52 may be properly drained. The invention further contemplates the idea of positioning the cutting and puncturing elements of the receptacle opening device I6 so that the same will be above the fluid level of a unit charge of oil in the holder 2 at all times, this precaution being taken so that the receptacle or container I4 may be removed without any loss of lubricating oil and to permit air to enter into the container I4 for rapid venting and discharge of the contents. A container which is opened in this manner may be removed without oil clinging to the same, thus preventing an unsightly condition. This spacing of the opening means relative to the bottom of the holder, obviously, has the further advantage of providing sufilcient space below the cutting and puncturing elements and the opened bottom of the container to hold a complete unit charge of oil in the bottom of the holder or dispenser when the operator is not immediately ready to dispense it.

It will be quite apparent from the above disclosure that after the can I4 has been thoroughly drained of lubricating oil, the same may be removed and disposed of and the oil received by the holder 2 may then be transferred therefrom to a crank case or the like. If desired, it is of course understood that transfer of the oil from the holder 2 may take place during the draining of the oil from the receptacle I4.

In Figure 5 of the drawings is disclosed a receptacle opening device made in accordance with the present invention and of a somewhat similar construction as that disclosed in Figure 2 of the drawings. In this embodiment, however, the puncturing elements 62 thereof are disclosed as substantially triangular shaped pieces of metal having the radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the upper band or ring 20, the same being adapted to puncture and sever the lower end of the receptacle or can I4 along the lines 64 and adjacent the outer rim or seam 66 thereof. The remaining structure corresponds substantially with the structure disclosed in Figure 2 of the drawings, the spacers or supporting rods 22 being similarly provided with inwardly and upwardly projecting end or deflecting portions 58 adapted to cause an upward displacement of the partially severed tabs or flaps 68 formed by the cutting elements, generally referred to in this embodiment as "III. The lakes or pockets formed by the upward displacement of the flaps or tabs 68 are drained through the openings 64 formed by the punctur ing elements 62, whereby the oil is effectively drained from the receptacle or can I4.

In Figure 7 of the drawings is disclosed a still further embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is shown as comprising a lower ring or band I2 and an upper band or ring 14 interconnected by means of a plurality of spacers 16. Connected to the upper band or ring I4 is a substantially triangular shaped and curved cutting element I8 adapted to form or cut a tab 80 in the lower end of the receptacle or container I4. Integral with and secured to the cutting element 18 and ring I4 is a tubular member 82 having an angularly disposed top edge so as to cause an upward displacement of the tab or flap 88 of the receptacle I4 during the movement of this receptacle I4 in a downward direction within a holder, such as 2. In order to drain the lakes formed by the upward displacement of the tab 88, a tubular member 84 is secured to the ring I i-opposite the cutting element I8 and is provided with an upper puncturing or cutting surface 86 so as to form the opening 88 in the bottom of the receptacle I4. The tubular members 82 and 84 also serve to cause a more rapid draining of the fluid or lubricating oil in the receptacle I4, this lubricating oil being adapted to flow by gravity downwardly through these members and into a holder, such as 2. The puncturing element 84 is further provided with oppositely disposed openings 88 adapted to effect a complete draining of the lake formed by the upward displacement of the tab or flap 80 of the receptacle I4.

It is obvious that the cutting may be performed by telescoping the holder down over the can and applying the necessary pressure to the bottom of the holder, and the oil will be discharged into the holder when the latter is reverted.

When air in the holder is displaced by the cascaded liquid it will pass up between the receptacle and the holder and out of the latter.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fluid dispensing device comprising in combination,,a fluid holder adapted to receive and support a sealed receptacle containing fluid to be dispensed, means for opening a single wall of said receptacle, said means including central cutting and peripheral puncturing elements, and means associated with said elements for causing displacement of the cut portions of said receptacle to effect a complete draining of the fluid from said receptacle into said holder.

2. A fluid dispensing device comprising in combination, a fluid holder adapted to receive and support a sealed receptacle containing fluid to be dispensed, means for opening said receptacle, said means including cutting and puncturing elements, said puncturing elements having a passage communicating with said holder and the interior of said receptacle, and means for causing displacement of the cut portions of said receptacle to effect a complete draining of the fluid from said receptacle into said holder.

3. A fluid dispensing device comprising in combination, a fluid holder adapted to receive and support a sealed receptacle containing fluid to be dispensed, and a means for opening said receptacle, said means having a passage transversely through its body wall and communicating with the interior of said receptacle, whereby a complete draining of the fluid therefrom and into said holder is effected.

4. A receptacle opening device comprising cutting elements, and puncturing elements associ- 75 ated therewith, said puncturing elementsbeing each provided with an opening therethrough, and

means projecting from said puncturing element for engagement with the cut portions of said receptacle for displacement thereof.

5. A fluid dispensing device for dispensing the fluid contents of a sealed receptacle, comprising a dispensing holder for receiving fluid from said receptacle and means in said holder for cutting out substantially the entire bottom of said receptacle, said means comprising centrally converging cutting blades to produce partially severed container wall portions and a piercing element for puncturing a said wall portion.

6. A liquid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a liquid holder having a bottom and adapted to receive a sealed receptacle containing a unit charge of liquid to be dispensed, a support for said receptacle, cutting means extending awayfrom said support and converging centrally thereof for opening and venting said receptacle, said support beingspaced relative to said bottom toprovide a liquid collecting chamber below said support of sufiicient capacity to hold said unit charge out of contact with said receptacle.

7. A liquid dispensing device adapted to enclose a sealed receptacle and to receive liquid therefrom, and having within the same opening means comprising centrally converging cutting edges and separate deflector means for pushing a cut portion of the receptacle away from the opening produced in the latter, to make an enlarged liquid vent for the quick discharge of the liquid.

8.A container opening device, comprising in combination, a cutting element, container wall deflecting means associated with said element,

and means for draining fluid trapped in the container by pockets formed by said deflected wall.

9. A container opening device, comprising in combination, a frame, a plurality of cutting elements extending to different levels from said frame and container wall deflecting means associated with said cutting elements, a dispensing vessel having a bottom and containing said opening devices and a support for the container arranged at a considerable distance above the-said bottom.

10. A liquid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a dispenser for receiving and supporting a sealed receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed and also adapted to receive said liquid from said receptacle, and means in said dispenser having cutting edges extending from the center of the dispenser substantially to its periphery for cutting substantially the entire bottom of said receptacle.

11. A fluid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a dispensing holder having a dispensing outlet and adapted to receive and support a sealed receptacle containing fluid to be dispensed, and means within saidv holder having radial cutting edges extending from the center of the holder for cutting the bottom of said receptacle to provide an opening into said receptacle larger than the dispensing outlet of said holder, and means arranged between said radial cutting edges and near the wall of said holder for perforating the bottom of the receptacle at points between the radial cuts.

12. A fluid dispensing device, comprising a body having encompassing side walls adapted to re ceive a sealed can formed of interlocked side and end walls, and a cutter mounted on the side walls of the body and arranged radially of the body aooae to and extending from the center of the body downward and outward and disposed in position to cut into a presented end closure of said can when inserted within said body.

13. A receptacle opening device comprising a support, cutting means supported thereby and including centrally and radially disposed cutting elements to produce radial openings in a presented'wall of a receptacle, and peripherally disposed puncturing elements.

14. A receptacle opening device comprising radially disposed cutting elements, peripherally disposed puncturing elements each having a transverse opening therethrough, and projecting members disposed for engagement with the cut portions of said receptacle for displacement thereof.

15. A receptacle opening device comprising a support, cutting means supported thereby and including centrally converging cutting edges, and means for pushing the portions of a receptacle cut by said means to make an enlarged vent opening for discharge of the contents of said receptacle.

16. A liquid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a dispenser for receiving and supporting a sealed receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed, and means in said dispenser having cutting edges extending from the center of the dispenser substantially to its periphery for cutting substantially an entire wall of said receptacle presented to said cutting means.

17. A receptacle opening device comprising a support, a cutter supported thereby and having radial cutting ,edges extending from the center of the support for cutting a wall of a receptacle presented to said cutter, and means arranged between said radial cutting edges for perforating said wall of the receptacle at points between the radial cuts of said wall and adjacent the periphery of the receptacle.

18. A fluid dispensing device for dispensing the fluid contents of a sealed receptacle, comprising, a dispensing'holder and means within said holder for cutting the bottom of said receptacle into segments and puncturing said segments to provide a substantial opened area for the rapid and complete discharge of the fluid from said receptacle into said holder.

19. A receptacle opening device comprising radially disposed cutting elements, peripherally disposed puncturing elements intermediate said cutting elements, and projecting members disposed for engagement with the cut portions of said receptacle for displacement thereof.

20. A container opening device, comprising in combination, a cylindrical supporting frame, a series of cutting blades mounted on said frame and extending radially from its axis, saidframe and blades together forming a substantially pyramidal shaped container opening device.

21-. A container opening device, comprising in combination, a cylindrical supporting frame, a series of cutting blades mounted on said frame and tapering inwardly and upwardly, said blades converging at the frame axis and together forming a substantially pyramidal shaped container opening device.

22. A liquid dispensing device for opening a sealed receptacle containing a unit charge of liquid and for dispensing the liquid, comprising a liquid holder provided with a delivery spout, means carried by said holder for supporting said receptacle in cutting and draining position and other means carried by said holder for cutting a substantial discharge opening in a wall of said receptacle, said supporting means being arranged a suflicient distance above the bottom of said holder to permit the collection of 'said whole unit charge of liquid below said positioned and opened receptacle with the level of said collected charge of liquid at all times spaced below said receptacle to prevent soiling of the receptacle and also to maintain an uninterrupted air space between said collected charge and said discharge opening.

23. An oil dispensing device for opening a sealed receptacle containing a unit charge of oil and for dispensing the oil, comprising, a dispenser pro-,- vided with a pouring spout, means carried by said dispenser for supporting said receptacle in cutting and draining position and including means for cutting a substantial discharge opening in a wall of said receptacle, said means being arranged a suflicient distance above the bottom of said dispenser to permit the collection of said whole unit charge of oil below said positioned and opened receptacle with the level of said collected charge of oil at all times spaced below said receptacle to prevent soiling of the receptacle and also to maintain an'uninterrupted air space between said collected charge and said discharge opening.

ELMER L. NALL. 

